• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2003

Organic drugs including aspirin, omeprazole, and naproxen with three different levels of octanol/water partition coefficient were examined for their release behavior from the amphiphilic PCL-b-PEO-b-PCL (PCEC) matrix. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of PCEC illustrated a well defined two-phase morphology consisted of dispersed poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) domain and continuous polycaprolactone (PCL) phase. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) experiments veri tied that three model drugs are dissolved as a molecular dispersion in PCEC matrix. The release of hydrophilic aspirin closely followed the water absorption profile of the matrix indicating that its major fraction is present in PEO domain. However, substantial amount of aspirin present in less hydrophilic region displayed discontinuous biphasic release pattern. In the case of omeprazole with intermediate hydrophobicity consistent release behavior was observed for a period of 24 hrs after the rapid liberation of ca. 10% of the drug presumably partitioned in PEO phase. It was ascribed to the fact that the progressive hydration of PCEC matrix gradually increased the chance of drug/water exposure to compensate the exhaustion of device. Naproxen with the highest octanol/water distribution coefficient among three model drugs exhibited a limited release of 35% for 24 hrs. Finally, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP)/PCEC blend matrix demonstrated an accelerated and quantitative release of hydrophobic naproxen by generating high porosity and thereby expanding polymer/water interface.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10281-10287
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• 2015

Background: Development of a nanosized polymeric delivery system for erlotinib was the main objective of this research. Materials and Methods: Poly caprolactone-polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PCEC) copolymers with different compositions were synthesized via ring opening polymerization. Formation of triblock copolymers was confirmed by HNMR as well as FT-IR. Erlotinib loaded nanoparticles were prepared by means of synthesized copolymers with solvent displacement method. Results: Physicochemical properties of obtained polymeric nanoparticles were dependent on composition of used copolymers. Size of particles was decreased with decreasing the PCL/PEG molar ratio in used copolymers. Encapsulation efficiency of prepared formulations was declined by decreasing their particle size. Drug release behavior from the prepared nanoparticles exhibited a sustained pattern without a burst release. From the release profiles, it can be found that erlotinib release rate from polymeric nanoparticles is decreased by increase of CL/PEG molar ratio of prepared block copolymers. Based on MTT assay results, cell growth inhibition of erlotinib has a dose and time dependent pattern. After 72 hours of exposure, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of erlotinib hydrochloride was appeared to be $14.8{\mu}M$. Conclusions: From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the prepared PCEC nanoparticles in this study might have the potential to be considered as delivery system for erlotinib.

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.735-750
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: The major challenge of tissue engineering is to develop constructions with suitable properties which would mimic the natural extracellular matrix to induce the proliferation and differentiation of cells. Poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL, PCEC), chitosan (CS), nano-silica ($n-SiO_2$) and nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) are biomaterials successfully applied for the preparation of 3D structures appropriate for tissue engineering. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of n-HA and $n-SiO_2$ incorporated PCEC-CS nanofibers on physical properties and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle and mechanical test were applied to evaluate the physicochemical properties of nanofibers. Cell adhesion and proliferation of hDPSCs and their osteoblastic differentiation on nanofibers were assessed using MTT assay, DAPI staining, alizarin red S staining, and QRT-PCR assay. RESULTS: All the samples demonstrated bead-less morphologies with an average diameter in the range of 190-260 nm. The mechanical test studies showed that scaffolds incorporated with n-HA had a higher tensile strength than ones incorporated with $n-SiO_2$. While the hydrophilicity of $n-SiO_2$ incorporated PCEC-CS nanofibers was higher than that of samples enriched with n-HA. Cell adhesion and proliferation studies showed that n-HA incorporated nanofibers were slightly superior to $n-SiO_2$ incorporated ones. Alizarin red S staining and QRT-PCR analysis confirmed the osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs on PCEC-CS nanofibers incorporated with n-HA and $n-SiO_2$. CONCLUSION: Compared to other groups, PCEC-CS nanofibers incorporated with 15 wt% n-HA were able to support more cell adhesion and differentiation, thus are better candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.